ABSTRACT
The end of apartheid in 1994 led to the African National Congress government adopting the White Paper on Housing, which stipulates that all South Africans should have access to a permanent residential structure with secure tenure. The White Paper on Housing further states that every effort will be made to realise this vision for all South Africans. Since the inception of the White Paper on Housing in 1994, there have been numerous shifts in South Africa’s housing policy. These shifts take cognisance of the South African Constitution, which enshrines the right of everyone to have access to adequate housing, regardless of factors such as gender, race and religion. Thus, South Africa’s housing policy affords women equal housing rights with men. Despite this, women in South Africa still experience many challenges in accessing housing. These challenges stem from gender constructs that place women in marginalised positions. This chapter contextualises women’s access to housing, examines gender-related factors that limit South African women’s access to housing and suggests ways in which they can be best addressed. The chapter draws on an intersectional feminist framework to highlight that a particular group of women experience the most challenges with regards to housing access. A key finding of this study is that factors such as violence, patriarchy, culture, religion and economic status impede women’s access to housing in South Africa.
